U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann has insisted that there is no rift with star midfielder Landon Donovan, but suggested time is running short for the national team’s all-time leading scorer to get with the program.

Speaking to ESPN, Klinsmann said the fact that Donovan has missed the past eight U.S. games is "way unfortunate." The L.A. Galaxy captain was called up for last month’s match in Italy but pulled out because of bronchitis. Due to illness, injury and his loan spell at Everton, Donovan hasn’t played for the U.S. since early September.

"There's no problem at all with Landon," Klinsmann said. "We take it as it happened and are straightforward in our relationship, and obviously we want to see him back in the team."

And the sooner the better, because Klinsmann has been moving full speed ahead with a holistic approach designed to reshape the national team’s style of play, tactics, outlook, health and fitness.

"We need Landon with the team to move forward because the train has left at 200 miles an hour and he was not on the train for eight games, which was not ideal for us but it is what it is. May and June comes quickly, and that's when Landon needs to be there and understand where is the team. We need him here as soon and as quickly as possible," Klinsmann said.

The U.S. will face Scotland (May 26), Brazil (May 30) and Canada (June 3) in exhibitions designed to prepare the team for World Cup qualification. The road to the 2014 World Cup begins on June 8 vs. Antigua and Barbuda in Tampa and continues four days later at Guatemala.

Donovan has played the full 90 minutes in each of the Galaxy’s four games this season. He scored a goal in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals and has one assist so far in MLS competition.